Alex, it's not fitted yet, the box is just sitting on top of the battery - too many jobs on the go at once!!

I need to spend some time planning the woodwork for the boot so that I stow some essential tools (Jack, Wheel Brace, Tow Rope etc). In doing this I want to make up a panel that will sit vertically adjacent to the fuel tank with a ratchet strap threaded through it to hold the spare wheel in place upright.

Still don't know which way this project is headed (998 - 1079, 998 - 1098, 1275 bored to 1293) so I am just getting on with bits n pieces. I would also like to convert from drums to 7.5 Disc. Money is tight so I am putting a bit away every now and then and will do what I can when I can, looks like it's going to be another 5 year project

Today, after spending a good two hours cleaning an sorting in my garage I started to clean up parts from the 1275 MG Metro engine that I have.

Every time I go into the garage I am confronted by a grotty looking Bell Housing so I thought I get cracking with that.

I had considered dropping it into some Citric Acid but I have not tried cleaning Ali using that method so I decided to just have a go mechanically.

I have kept it mounted on the Flywheel Housing to avoid losing bolts:

So first job was to separate it:

Then first I had a go with a hand held wire brush to remove most of the Aluminium Oxide, then with a couple of different brass circular brushes in a drill, then a filament brush and finally quick go over with some 1500 W&D, all the above (apart from the first few brushes) lubricated using some Plus Gas:

It's not brilliant but it's a darn sight better than it was.

I'll do the Flywheel housing next and then at some point finish both these off but not sure how yet, either successive W&D or better still bead blasted.

Problem is I no longer have a compressor and don't have a blast cabinet, neither do I really want to pay out to have them done

Latest haul of 'treasure', well you know what they say one mans rubbish is another man's treasure!!

Two sets of Metro 4 Pot Callipers and Hubs salvaged from a couple of Metros that I have acquired. I have someone who wants the Flanges and I thought I'd clean up or refurbish the callipers and discs and see if I can sell them to put some pennies in the project fund

Well I posted up some pics on the Mig Welding Forum ref de-rusting the Metro Brakes that I have salvaged and received some mixed comments, some saying that you cannot refurbish Callipers ??? Not sure why as the seals and pistons seem readily available? Also told to bin the rotors, but then I guess if I was fitting discs I'd want new pads and discs and the discs are less than £20 each if these will fit?

I have someone who wants the Flanges so today I started to see if I could split them. I clamped the rotors to my workbench and was quite surprised that after a few taps the bolts came loose - not bad after probably 20+ years.

As the weather was grotty I decided to make a start on the 12G295 head, whether I decide to use it if I opt for a 1079 or 1098 build or sell it if I go for a 1275, it still needs stripping and cleaning up.

In another post I asked about the clips on the top of the valves, it seems they were used as a belts and braces approach but are not needed.

Off they came:

Then one by one out came the valves:

Most came out quite easily, but the odd one or two were stubborn, the upper part of the valve seemed to stick a bit at the very bottom of the valve guide.

All the valves had this lower seat (seen below partially lifted off off the valve guide):

But some were missing the rubber seal that sits over the valve guide (seen below on the valve stem that has been removed):

In the main the valves seem in pretty good condition for there age, and they are all numbered 1 - 4 in relation to the cylinder that they service:

This last inlet valve appears to be the worst:

So this week I'll degrease the cylinder head and then drop in in a solution of Citric Acid for a couple of days and see how it comes out

Managed to get home from work on time and it was still light so I thought I get a little done. I had been soaking the Flanges in the Rotors for a couple of days and thought I'd see if they would separate.

Seems that a quick couple of taps with a rubber mallet and boom, off they came:

So time to prep them for the Citric Acid bath, which basically means a rub down with a wire brush to remove any flaky rust and a degrease (wash them off in boiling hot soapy water).

Then I mixed up the Citric Acid solution. I ended up using about nearly 5 litres of water and about 800g of Citric Acid Powder, may have been a bit strong but never mind.

Sorry about the bad photos but unlike in the US we always seem to be up against the weather, failing light and cramped conditions when doing restorations in the UK